POPE LEO XIII,

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1241, 27 February 1878, Page 3

POPE LEO XIII,

The correspondent of the London “Times,” writing in September Inst, referred to the lately-elected Pontiff as follows : “ The Pope some time since expressed a wish to fill up the place of Oamerlengo, vacant in consequence of the death of Cardinal de Angelis, by appointing Cardinal Pecei to tbe office which the Pope’s death might at any time invest with supreme importance. It was, however, understood that Pecci had declined the intended honor, pleading reasons which seem to have been satisfactory to His Holiness. The Pope subsequently overcame Pecci’s resistance by that authority which makes any decision of bis a law for all his subordinates, at least during his lifetime, Pecci is thus now the Camerlengo. There are but rare instances, and none recent, of a Camerlengo—who is looked upon as a Popemaker, and who exercises tho whole authority of a Pope during the interregnum —ever obtaining the votes of the Sacred College on his own behalf. One of the special functions of the Camerlengo on the death of the Pope is to make arrangements for the Conclave, and to regulate the proceedings. He has also to perform the duty of announcing the selection to the people.

“ Giovacchino Pecci was born on fcbo 2nd of March, 1810, at Carpineto, near Anagni, of an old patrician family. Ho was in favor with Pope Gregory XVI., in whose household ho was for some time as a prelate and private referendary, and who employed him as his Delegate, first at Benevento, then at Spoleto and Perugia, where ho did good work in ridding some of those districts of the prevailing scourge of brigandage. Pecci was subsequently sent as Nuncio to Brussels, created Archbishop of Perugia, and was one of the candidates for whom the old Pope reserved the honor of the purple when ho died in 18-16. Pecci remained, however, a Cardinal in in spite of the good offices of the King of the Belgians, who solicited the new Pope, Pius IX., to fulfil the benevolent intentions of his predecessor. Seven years elapsed before Pius IX. came to the resolution to do justice to the candidate of Gregory’s choice, and this delay was owing to the illwill of Cardinal Aptonelli, who dreaded the influence of an able man over the Pope’s mind. At last, on the 19th December, 1853, Pecci received the Hat, but for many years he was left in the cold at his see of Perugia, the Cardinal Secretary of State standing in the way of any preferment which might bring a dreaded rival too near the Vatican. In 1871, wo are told, upon the death of Cardinal Burnabo, Prefect of the Propaganda, an English prelate suggested Pecci to the Pope aa a man competent to fill the vacant place. ‘ Pecci,’ pleaded the Englishman, ‘is so learned a man and co good a Bishop.’ ‘ Just so,’ broke in the Pope, ‘an excellent Bishop, and we will leave him to take cure of his diocese.’ More recently another opening occurred. Upon the office of Pro-Datorio becoming vacant by the death of Cardinal Yanicell-Casonf, Peo.oi. _ relied on his appointment, and, leaving Perugia, Ho took up his quarters in Borne in the Falcbnieri Palace ; but' he was again unsuccessful, the place being given t'o Cardinal Saccoo.i; and it is only now, sincq the removal of Antooelli by death, that VccciTobtaiasd free access to the Pope, who lias chosen him as CardinalOamerlengo. “ The papers represent Pecci as a thin man, with a cold expression of countenance, a fine habitual smile, almost ironical, and a mixture of pride and acuteness, with a very deliberate and somewhat abrupt style of address. They give him credit for a deep knowledge of the world and great dexterity in th? management of its affairs. “It ni’;;;t Sjecmombercd, however, that little la known about the Cardinals, hurdly any or them being ever seen in society since Rome ceased to bo the Pope’s city. Pecci was till lately absolutely an obscure man c.iib or Perugia. One' should loch upon tho Cardinals "as upon hereditary' princes, whose character-s remain riddles up to the day of their accession, and who often on the throne take pleasure in disappointing and astonishing those who pretended to judge them.” Signor Boughi, formerly Italian Minister of Public Instruction, republished recently his very able work entitled “ Pius IX., and the Future Pope.” Ho gave a list of Cardinals, one of whom be thought it probable the Conclave would elect as the new Pope. Cardinal Pecci was included in this list. Bough: rectlv surmising that the -fosltlo,. of‘C>ameilengo -eed r.oL p.-ov.e an • insttperab’le disqualij, lie a vion. He describes Pecci as having one i of' the most elevated minds and most even • tempers iu the Sacred College.”